International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 11, November-2014

Burnt Clay Bricks Versus Autoclaved Aerated

Concrete Blocks
A Comparative Analysis
Radhika Shukla
Architecture dept. MIET
Nagpur University,
Mumbai, India

A green building needs special materials and systems to adapt

sustainability when compared with a conventional building.
Due to growing interest in sustainable development engineers
and architects are motivated more than ever before to choose
materials that are more sustainable. Sustainable development
which means fulfilling the needs of present generation without
overlooking the needs and aspirations of future generations,
need to be stressed in todays world. In line with the growing
trend of green building development, the industry of green
materials and services is also developing in India.
Thus preference is now being given to greener and efficient
building materials and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete is one
such green material. It not only uses the waste material like fly
ash but also provides adequate strength to structures. AAC
was developed in 1924 by a Swedish architect, who was
looking for an alternate building material with properties
similar to that of wood good thermal insulation, solid
structure and easy to work with but without the disadvantage
of combustibility, decay and termite damage [4].

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Abstract Engineers and architects have choices of the

material and products they use to design projects Material
choice depends on several factors including first cost, life cycle
cost and performance for a specific application. Due to growing
interest in sustainable development engineers and architects are
motivated more than ever before to choose materials that are
more sustainable. However, on what measurement basis can
engineers and architects compare materials and choose one that
is more sustainable or specify a material in such a way as to
minimize environmental impact? A green building needs special
materials and systems to adapt sustainability compared with a
conventional building. This paper is an effort towards
comparing two main construction materials and providing
comprehensive analysis which will help Engineers and
Architects determining their material choices.
KeywordsConstruction
materials;
green
sustainability; comparative analysis; green products

building;

I.
INTRODUCTION
Brick masonry has been a primary technique used in building
structures for at-least seven millennia [1], making it one of the
oldest construction technologies in common uses. Its legacy in
existing architecture still makes it a desirable, architectural
choice in many locations. Although bricks are produced in
numerous types, materials, and sizes which vary with region
and time period, and are produced in bulk quantities, there are
two most basic categories of brick, fired and non-fired bricks
but, the image Indians typically associate with the word
brick is clay fired brick, which are one of the longest lasting
and strongest building materials (sometimes referred to as
artificial stone) and have been used since circa 5000 BC [2].
This longevity stems from beneficial performance properties,
widespread availability of clay, and the fundamental
simplicity of brick production. Air dried bricks have a history
older than fired bricks, are known by the synonyms mud
brick and adobe, and have an additional ingredient of a
mechanical binder, such as straw.
Recently, clay brick has come under a different kind of fire
due to its environmental impact. While fired clay brick has
certain inherent, sustainable properties (e.g. durability, high
thermal mass, and, often, local extraction and manufacture
[3]), the kilning process fundamental to its manufacture has
raised some sustainability concerns because of energy
consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

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Here, I have put efforts to compare the two most important

and commonly used building materials in construction mostly
for walling i.e. AAC Blocks and Burnt clay bricks to conclude
which of the two materials is most advantageous. Following
(Table no.1) is a comparative analysis based on various
qualitative and quantitative parameters of burnt clay bricks
and autoclaved aerated concrete blocks. It also compares both
the materials on the parameters required for product to be
called as sustainable/eco-friendly. (Fig.1)
II.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

A. Renewable Resources
One of the major attributes of sustainable construction
materials is that they should use Renewable Resources.
Renewable resources are those which can be regenerated and
replenished after usage in a short time period like the wind,
hydro energy etc. and the Non- renewable resources are the
ones which once used cannot be regenerated. A renewable
resource must be able to sustainably reproduce at a rate equal
to or greater than it is consumed or destroyed. The fact that a
particular resource can naturally build up over time does not
mean that it is renewable. If it is depleted faster than it can

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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 11, November-2014

replenish, then it is non-renewable. It will eventually

disappear without intervention. Therefore, the top soil
consumed for making of bricks is nonrenewable resource.
This precious soil used for brick making could be better used
for agriculture and thus providing food security to the
increasing population. (Table.1: point. 1 & 13)
B. Use of waste product
Fly Ash is usually a by-product of thermal power plants
and is an important raw material in the manufacture of AAC
Blocks. Sustainable products should also reduce the air, land
and water pollution. The brick kilns cause air pollution which
not only affects humans but also vegetation and agriculture.
Large amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases lead
to the menace of global warming and climate change. AAC
blocks have non-polluting manufacturing process the only
by-product is steam. (Table.1: point .1 & 8)

and reduces need for cement and steel. Concrete bricks accept
paint relatively well with almost no efflorescence. Clay bricks
often exude metallic salts in their early years which cause
paint to peel off. (Table.1: point. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17,
18, 22, 25, and 28)
Moisture from both external and internal sources can cause
damage to buildings; therefore, moisture protection is a
primary consideration. External moisture sources include rain
and water from the soil. Internal moisture, usually in the form
of humidity, can cause condensation on the surface of the
walls as well as condensation inside the wall itself. AAC has a
very porous structure which is characterized by "micro" pores.
Micro pores are small air bubbles evenly distributed
throughout the material these air bubbles arrest the entry of
water molecules. Therefore, absorption of water into the AAC
material is minimal. This all translates into lower maintenance
cost for AAC blocks and increased durability.

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F. Recycle / Reuse
These are other traits of sustainable products. During the
manufacturing process of AAC blocks, waste from the cutting
process is recycled back with raw materials and used again.
During construction, there is virtually no waste generated.
AAC blocks can be recycled/ reused into base preparation of
roads, floor screeds and other sand-cement based material [9].
Fired bricks can also be reused as land fillers, to make
aggregates to road sub-base, landscaping etc. (Table 1: point.
8)

C. Embodied energy
Figure
1 : Properties
of Sustainable
Material
[5] sustainable
This is the
important
aspect
considered
for any
material. Embodied energy is the total energy required for the
extraction, processing, manufacture and delivery of building
materials to the building site. Energy consumption produces
CO2, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, so
embodied energy is considered as an indicator of the overall
environmental impact of building materials and systems [6].
Unlike the life cycle assessment, which evaluates all of the
impacts over the whole life of a material or element, embodied
energy only considers the front-end aspect of the impact of a
building material. It does not include the operation or disposal
of materials. AAC Blocks consume approx. 70% less energy
than Clay bricks [7]. (Table.1: point.12)
D. Energy efficiency and Water Conservation
These are also significant characteristics of Sustainable
products. An AAC Block with very low thermal conductivity
keeps interior remain cool in summer and warm in winter and
best for both internal and external construction, hence it
reduces the load on HVAC system, eventually saving
electricity. Bricks consume more water than AAC blocks, they
need to be soaked in water before placing and need water
curing after placed in mortar. AAC blocks dont need curing.
(Table. 1: Point. 7, 11, 16, 17 & 18, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
E. Durability and Life span
AAC blocks are superior to bricks on parameter of
Durability and Life span; AAC blocks reduce operating cost
by 30-40% [8]. It Reduces overall construction costs by 2.5%
as compared to burnt clay bricks, as it requires less jointing

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G. Local Availability
Sustainable materials should be locally available; AsiaPacific is the fastest growing regional market for building
materials over the analysis period 2007-2015 [10]. This is due
to mass exodus of manufacturing and production bases to low
cost Asian countries. Continuous and rapid industrialization in
regional powerhouses such as China and India is also a
driving factor. Increasing income levels, higher spending
power, improving standards of living, etc. lead to higher
demand for residential and commercial constructions.
Currently there are around 35 AAC blocks manufacturing
plants across India with a heavy concentration near Surat,
Gujarat. More and more AAC blocks plants are set up across
the India, as awareness about AAC blocks is growing.
(Table.1: point.14)
Local availability of bricks is more than those of AAC
blocks. However, Clay bricks are made in a process that starts
with a suitable blend of clays that have to be mined, aged, then
milled/mixed to even consistency. The clay is then extruded
through a special press and sliced to size. These unburnt
bricks are dried out before being placed in a kiln that is heated
to between 7000c and 11000c. Thereafter, when the firing is
complete, the bricks need to be cooled and classified as to
color and strength. The process is very energy intensive,
generates large amounts of carbon dioxide, is quite difficult to
control and takes up to 3 months to complete. If that was not
all, the set-up cost of a reasonable factory is about 10 times
that of concrete for the same output. Concrete bricks are far
simpler to manufacture: suitable sand stone and cement are
proportionately mixed together with water, vibrated in press,
allowed to cure for about 14-28 days and are then ready for

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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 11, November-2014

use. Total process time 15 to 30 days. Energy costs are quite

production v/s rate of production is high which is very low
in AAC block making. Manufacture of bricks in conventional
clamps is not possible in Rainy season. Rate of production is

A Comparative Analysis - Burnt Bricks versus Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks

Point.
No.

low and there is minimal pollution [11]. Ratio of space for

low in conventional / normal clamps. (Table.1: point. 13, 14,
15, 19, 21, 24)

Parameter

Material composition

Burnt Clay Bricks

AAC Blocks

Silica (sand) + Alumina (clay) +

Lime + Iron oxide
+ Magnesia

Quartz sand + calcined gypsum +

lime (mineral) and/or cement
Aluminum powder + fly ash

In other words-Top Soil

In Other Words-Cement +Fly Ash

Size

225 mm x 100 mm x 65 mm / 230

mm x 75 mm x 115 mm

600 / 625 mm x 200 / 240 mm x

100-300 mm

Precision in Size

5 mm (+/-)

1.5 mm (+/-)

Compressive
Strength

2.5-3 N/mm2

3-4 N/mm2 (IS 2185, Part-3)

Dry Density

1800-2000 kg/ m3

Fire Resistance (8
wall)

Around 2 hours

600-800 kg/m3

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Up to 7 hours.

Remarks

The raw materials used for AAC Blocks

production, have been found to be eco friendly,
as very little cement is used. The use of fly ash in
this venture makes us to utilize a waste material
from thermal plants. AAC blocks can use fly ash
(70% of its weight), thus provides the most
constructive solution to the nations fly-ash
utilization problem.
Bricks need more mortar since size is smaller.
But Mortar requirement is lesser in AAC blocks
due to Bigger size.
The AAC block is dimensionally more accurate
as it is produced with wire cut technology in a
certified factory.
AAC blocks has higher compressive strength i.e.
it can withstand greater loads than bricks
Using AAC Blocks reduces the load on the
foundation and other structural components in a
structure due to its lower self-weight. 55%
reduction in weight of walls. Up to 15% savings
in cost of structure has been observed.
Because of reduction in self-weight, AAC block
construction attracts, Less earthquake load.
AAC blocks have air voids and hence have better
fire resisting property compared to red clay
bricks.
The melting point of AAC blocks are over 1600
degree Celsius, more than twice the typical
temperature in building fire 650 degree Celsius.
AAC blocks are resistant to thermal variations. It
reduces the total load of refrigeration and air
conditioning. Though initial installation cost may
remain same but AAC blocks reduces operation
and maintenance cost drastically.

Energy Saving

Low

Approx. 25% reduction in air

conditioner load /
25 30% less electricity
consumption on HVAC

Reuse of waste
product

None

Fly ash

AAC blocks use Bio product of power plants

Efflorescence

Generally Present

Absent

AAC blocks dont have efflorescence, superior

than Bricks

10

Pigmentation

Mineral oxides in clay plus

natural and synthesized mineral
oxide pigments

natural and synthesized mineral

oxide pigments

11

Thermal
Conductivity

K value = 0.81 W/mk

K value = 0.16 W/mk

12

Embodied Energy /
Energy needed to
produce the building
material

High (900-1000 kWh/m3)

Low. (50-100 kWh/m3)

AAC Blocks with very low thermal conductivity

keeps interior remain cool in summer and warm
in winter and best for both internal and external
construction.
AAC Blocks consume approx. 70% less energy
than Clay bricks. AAC block covers greater area
for the same mass of brick used thus saves on
transportation costs and conserves precious fuel.

Soil Consumption

13

Environmental
Impact

One clay brick consumes 3.2 kgs of top

soil

No top soil consumed

One sq ft of carpet area with clay brick

walling will consume 25.5 kgs of top soil

Uses fly ash which is a

thermal power plant
waste product & thus no
consumption of top soil

Fuel Consumption

One sq ft of carpet area with clay bricks

will consume 8 kgs of coal

One sq ft of carpet area

with AAC blocks will
consume 0.9677 kgs of
coal

CO2 Emission

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AAC block is 100% Green building material & is

a walling material of a choice in LEED certified
buildings. This helps in reducing carbon
footprint.

In India itself AAC blocks has potential to avert

200mn tones of CO2 emissions into environment
a saving of $20 billion every year.

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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 11, November-2014

Point.
No.

A Comparative Analysis - Burnt Bricks versus Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks

Parameter

Burnt Clay Bricks

AAC Blocks

One sqft of carpet area will emit 17.6 kg

of CO2.

Remarks

One sq ft of carpet area

will emit 2.2 kg of CO2.

Labor

Unorganized sector (child labor rampant

in unorganized sector)

Organized sector. Nation

building through
Corporate Governance,
Statutory Labor and HR
practices

Tax Contribution

14

Social Impact

Contributes to
government taxes in form
of Central Excise, VAT
& Octroi

Does not contribute to government

exchequer (taxes)

AAC blocks are manufactured under organized

sector, which contributes towards government
taxes and has standardized factory facility.

Production Facility

Unhealthy working conditions due to toxic

gases. Mostly involves manual processes.

15

Speed of
construction

Comparatively lower

Moisture Resistance

Average

Very Good

17

Water Absorption
Coefficient
in Kg/ m2 x h0.5

22 30 (suction through
capillary action)

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16

Standardized factory
facility with automated
processes.
Very high due to bigger
size, light weight.
Can have a Tongue Groove Profile, which
results in faster
construction, saving on
labor and jointing mortar
due to elimination of
vertical joints

4 6 (no continuous
pores and capillaries)

18

Water absorption
% by weight

High. 20% by volume

Very High. 45% by

volume

19

Noise Transmission /
Sound Insulation

More than 50db for 230mm thick wall

40-45db for 200mm thick

wall

20

Ease of Use /
Workability

Low

21

Cost Benefit

None

22

Speed of
manufacturing

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Low

High.
Can be cut into required
sizes.
It can be sawn, drilled,
nailed, grooved etc. Can
be used to create arches,
curves etc.
Can have Hand Grips,
which gives ease in
lifting & placement.
Dead weight reduction
leads reduction in
consumption of steel and
cement and lesser
excavation for
foundations.

High

The Productivity of the mason (with AAC

blocks) increases up to 3 times, because of less
number of joints.

AAC Blocks do not have any micro-pores or

continuous capillaries through which exterior
surface water can be absorbed to interiors. It
means longer life to the paints and interiors free
from growth of any kind of fungus, providing
healthier and long lasting interiors to the
occupants.
AAC Blocks water barrier properties are further
enhanced by adding silicone based additives.
Use of AAC Blocks leads to Long life of paint
and healthy interiors
The volume of AAC is 20% solid material and
80% air. Due to the closed cell structure of AAC,
the waterobsorbtion only takes place through the
solid material. This solid is only 20% of the
volume, which the water obsorbtion of AAC
strongly reduces.
The AAC Block has better sound insulation
properties, due to its air voids presence. AAC
blocks have an excellent Sound transmission
Class (STC) rating of up to 45 db. Therefore it is
an ideal material for wall construction in hotels,
auditoriums, studios, hospitals etc.

AAC Blocks can be easily cut, drilled, nailed,

milled and grooved to fit individual requirements.
Available in custom sizes.
Simplifies hydro-sanitary and electrical
installations, such as pipes or ducts, which can be
installed after the main construction is complete.

AAC blocks reduce overall cost of construction

AAC Reduces construction time by 20%.

Different sizes of blocks help reduce the number
of joints in wall masonry.
Lighter blocks make construction easier and
faster.
Easy to install. Sets and hardens quickly.

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Vol. 3 Issue 11, November-2014

Point.
No.

A Comparative Analysis - Burnt Bricks versus Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks

Parameter

Burnt Clay Bricks

23

Quality / Durability

Normally varies

24

Water Usage during

Manufacturing

High, needs curing before use

25

Applicability

Load bearing & Non-load bearing

AAC Blocks

Uniform and finished

Low, needs only surface
wetting before use
-Load Bearing masonry
up to 2 to 3 story.
-Partition walls in Load
Bearing and Framed
Structures.
-Infill walls in Multistory
Building Frames both
internal and external
walls.
-All Filling areas
including in flat slabs and
instead of brick bats in
weathering course, over
roof.

Good. Generally, they

have Conformance to
requirement of seismic
zone IV & V.

Remarks

AAC Blocks being produced in a factory with

automated processes, so, they have uniform
quality and hence are more durable.
AAC saves water consumption

Band width of applicability is higher in AAC

Blocks, they are especially used in

Earthquake forces on structure are proportional to

the weight of the building, hence AAC blocks
shows excellent resistant to earthquake forces.
They absorb and transmit less seismic forces in
event of any earthquake. The structure has
millions of tiny cells which cushions buildings
from major force, preventing progressive
collapse. Regions of the seismic activities like
exclusively use AAC blocks. It has been proven
to withstand wind loads of category 5 tropical
storms.
AAC blocks are 7 times bigger than the size of
the conventional bricks. Bigger size means less
number of joints. Less joints results in lesser
quantity of mortar for building. There is overall
60% reduction in use of Mortar.
AAC blocks have uniform shape and texture,
which gives even surface to the walls. The AAC
Block, when built has both faces as fair faces,
unlike brick work, which has only one face as a
fair face. Hence, the thickness of
Plaster for AAC block is much less compared to
conventional bricks.
AAC block reduces operating cost by 30% to
40%.
Reduces overall construction cost by 2.5% as it
requires less jointing and reduces need for
cement and steel.
High-insulation blocks save up to 30% in energy
costs.
Wall painting and plastering last longer as almost
nil efflorescence affects AAC. This translates
into lower maintenance costs.

Earth quake resistant

Average. Conditional Conformance to

seismic zones IV & V

27

Mortar consumption
per M3 with 1:6

1.40 bag of cement

28

Savings in Plaster

29

Maintenance

High

Comparatively Lesser
due to its superior
properties

30

Wastage Due to
Breakages

Approximate 10 to 12%

Minimal (1-2%)

If any breakage in the AAC blocks, it would be

into two or three pieces which can be utilized in
masonry as "brick bat".

Low

High.
AAC blocks are
inorganic, insect resistant
and solid wall
construction material.
Termites and ants do not
eat or nest in AAC
blocks.

AAC Blocks do not allow spread of termites and

growth of pests and hence provides longer life to
expensive wooden interiors.

31

Pest & Termite

Resistance

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26

0.5 bag of cement

overall 35% reduction in

the cost of plastering

32

Fume Resistance

Average

Good.

AAC Blocks are completely inorganic and hence

do not generate any toxic fumes or poisonous
gases harmful to the occupants. The airtight
nature of blocks also prevents toxic fumes from
spreading into other parts of building.

33

Cost per cubic meter

(Mumbai region)

Rs. 4000/-

Rs. 3800-4000/-

Rates are almost at par

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International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

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Vol. 3 Issue 11, November-2014

III. COST BENEFIT

Ultimately, the most important and motivating factor
which drives the acceptance and use of any material which all
of the Developers, Contractors and End Users look forward to
is Cost Savings One AAC block of size is equivalent to 8 red
bricks hence it reduces 1/3rd of joints resulting in saving of
mortar
up-to 60% [12]. AAC blocks are automatic machine cut
having accurate dimensions resulting in thinner coat of plaster
as compared to clay bricks. It saves mortar in plaster to 35%
to 40% and having advantage in gaining more carpet area, also
AAC blocks enable drastic reduction in dead weight [13].
Even this dead weight reduction leads reduction in
consumption of steel and cement and lesser excavation for
foundations. Cost of building materials vary from region to
region, In Mumbai, bricks cost between Rs.6-7/- per unit. For
Instance, one cubic meter comprises of 600 bricks, which
costs around Rs.4000/- cubic meter. However, AAC blocks
are available at the range of Rs.3800-4000/- per cm3 [14].
Builders prefer AAC considering numerous advantages of the
materials as seen above. (Table.1: point15, 20, 28, 32)

Comparative Analysis indicates that in almost all the

parameters, the AAC blocks have a superior edge over burnt
clay bricks. The use of AAC blocks leads to savings in overall
project cost; enables to speed up the construction process
reduced environmental and social impact. Therefore we can
conclude that use of ACC blocks over burnt clay bricks is
recommended. It is advisable to developers, contractors, and
individuals to encourage this product as its use is in national
interest.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Mr. Sahil Suman Thanks for your necessary support.
REFERENCES

[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]

Michael Chusid, RA, FCSI, Steven H. Miller, CSI, and Julie

Rapoport, PhD, PE, LEED AP, The building brick of sustainability,
the construction specifier, May 2009.
www. Wikipedia.com
Charles (Chip) B. Clark Jr., PE, AIA, LEED AP, Clad in green, The
construction specifier, October 2008.
www.biltechindia.com
theconstructor.org/ ecofriendly building materials
www.level.org.nz,
www.grihaindia.org, PPT by Atul Kapur, HIL- Upgrading Indias life
spaces, 26th February 2013.
www.biltechindia.com
www.swedgeo.se, PPT by Peter Nielsen, Jeroen Vrijders, Kris Broos,
Mieke Quaghebeur ,Recycling of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete
(AAC), 14th June 2012.
www.aac-india.com
www.westerngranite.co.za
www.indiamart.com
www.constructionworld.in
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[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]

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IV. CONCLUSION
However it is difficult to replace 7millenium old materials
with new one. Also availability is still a challenge in India.
AAC blocks are easily available in southern and western
regions of country. AAC blocks are gaining popularity in
northern region and demand in tier II cities.

[1]

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